Battling Beattock .

The 1 in 74 Northbound climb of Beattock bank would prove a stern test for many a steam crew and loco . This is footage from years of filming around Beattock North & Southbound . Tours covered are mainly the Great Britain Railtours over the last few years with a few others thrown in for your viewing . Locos seen are 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, 60009 Union of South Africa, 44871,45407, 44932,70013, Oliver Cromwell, 46115 Scots Guardsman ,61994 The Great Marquess and 45699 Galatea .One or two wobbling efforts in my early panned shots so apologies for those.

[@ianjohnson13]

Steve watching your videos, it’s obvious why you’ve go so many subscribers. Excellent venues, steady camera and beautiful scenery. I always enjoy them.

[@williamwoolhouse3702]

A breath taking compendium of super footage.The undoubted highlights for me were the magnificent sights and sounds of 46233 pounding the metals as of days long gone.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks William , can’t beat a Duchess in full cry I must admit 👍

[@robmasterman]

Stunning work Steve, the star of the show for me was the 'Duchess' doing what she was built for....Best wishes...Bob

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bob, must agree with you there 👍

[@paulcaswell2813]

61994 on holiday from the West Highland took it for me. Tamed Beattock superbly (as to be expected) :-) Cracking footage. Thanks for the upload.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Paul, pleased you enjoyed 61994 hard at work 👍

[@allan5919]

Great video clips of the Jubilee and very well captured Stephen. Very enjoyable.
Cheers - Allan.

[@golfsierra999]

Great compilation and well filmed. Very enjoyable.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment as it’s much appreciated 👍

[@gsx1250fast]

Some fantastic filming Steve, very high quality, and so atmospheric. Thanks, very uplifting for a gloomy January. :)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Mike, pleased you enjoyed the video.

[@AmbroseB1900]

Brilliant compilation, thanks for putting it together. Always love to see Hamilton but Scots Guardian with 12 on was quite something too! Kind regards, Bob.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bob, it was some show from 46115 that day I must admit.

[@artisanwhitehall]

Brilliant!! I remember the steam loco from when i was a boy. The almost banging from the exhausts when they were under full power.

[@johnwoolley6014]

Cracking stuff Steve, was onboard the '75th Anniversary' trip to Perth and the noise from the Duchess going up Beattock made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, unforgettable

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks John, it sounded pretty good from the lineside I must admit 👍

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant compilation Steve. Great to capture steam working well over Beattock. Some great scenery around there. We uploaded a compilation of 2012.. Looking forward to another good year of steam with a good selection of locos now on main line. Kind regards C&A

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks C&A, do like Beattock but it’s very overgrown tree wise now so lineside works best .

[@watchyMCFCwatchy]

I like the exhaust beat of the 3 and 4 cylinder locos. It sounds like they're working harder.

[@mickboakes7023]

Beautiful video. Smoke Steam and Scenery a great combination. All the best Mick🇬🇧

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Mick , pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@couzeukian5122]

Some fantastic compilations here. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to compile and share. The last clip I thought was outstanding. A black 5 with 11 couches on the drawbar and an A4 to shove as well! (Joke.)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Ian , it was a bit overkill power wise that day 😂

[@MasterMoyle]

One that needs adding to the list is when 35018 British India Line climbed up Beattock in March of this year with a railtour heading to Edinburgh.

[@khankadet]

A cracking collection of shots Steve from both sides of the summit. Just a tad envious of you but thanks for sharing. Take care - Chris

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Chris, had some other shots but struggled to find them on my external hard drive. Good to hear from you 👍

[@khankadet]

@@TheStephengthompson Hi Steve, It's good to be able to comment. At home now trying to build up my strength so I can hopefully get out myself sometime this year. I need a whiff of steam! Take care - Chris

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Steve , Great compilation...All the Best for 2020...Dave

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Dave , pleased you enjoyed it and the same to you 👍

[@locomotive6727]

@@TheStephengthompson Hi Steve , very good ,Thanks for reply...Dave

[@mrhearse777]

What a brilliant way to spend Monday morning ! Thanks.

[@TheStephengthompson]

My pleasure and I’m pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@tattoo1084]

Brilliant work there Stephen at beattock at all different places, tempted to try that myself one day! Cheers.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, you won’t be disappointed if you do 👍

[@nicholashunt9522]

Class video. That part at 5:29. What an absolute great picture.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nicholas , yes it is a stunning view from that elevated position I must admit. Steve

[@nige7577]

Spot on Steve, excellent compilation.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nige, much appreciated 👍

[@bluedoris88]

Stunning ,,,thanks

[@deauvilledad07]

Excellent compilation Steve, well done
🤓 🤓

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Andrew, something to do with no tours running at the moment. 👍

[@TerribleIvan]

Nicely put together Steve.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Ivan, much appreciated 👍

[@TickholeProductions]

Spot on Steve totally enjoyed the visions. Cheers Richard

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Richard, pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@philippankhurst6680]

Wonderful stuff, very cheering on a day of wind and torrential rain

[@TheStephengthompson]

My pleasure Philip , glad you enjoyed the video 👍

[@acw71000]

All action compilation Steve, an enjoyable watch

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Austin, couldn’t find a couple of shots but they are squirrelled away somewhere 😂

[@jimusgrimus]

What a great body of men we miners are............none of this would have been possible without us............

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Kelly , very well said comment that is so correct 👍

[@gaspode2005]

Lovely collection, Steve. Great scenery, main line steam - what more could you want!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bob , I do like Beattock but it’s very treed in now so you need to be lineside now.

[@stewartatkinson4179]

Fantastic video!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment as it’s much appreciated 😊

[@laurieharper1526]

Love the Black 5 and A4 combo. Grunt plus speed.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Laurie , odd pairing but great sounds from the duo 👍

[@rjas365]

A superb compilation, very much enjoyed thanks Steve, and an exciting choice of theme. Difficult to nominate favourites, BUT: 02:30 for video, 09:40 for audio and 10:45 for its x-factor! Kind regards, Bob.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bob, did have other footage but struggled to find it on my external hard drive although I’m sure it’s there somewhere 😂

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

Wonderful! (To the words of Auden of course) ;)

[@JoshMallard96]

Jolly good video Steve, well done

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Josh, much appreciated as ever 👍

[@CrossfellRailwayVideos]

Brilliant Steve! You've got some treasures there, alright!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alan , did have other footage but couldn’t find it on my external backup.

[@GrrMeister]

*Magnificent !*

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and it is much appreciated 👍

[@6109river]

wonderful video thanks for sharing

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks John, always good to film on Beattock even with all the trees. Steve

[@0740Woodside]

Wonderful filming! But why do so many trains need to have a disfiguring diseasel?

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and sometimes the diesel is on the back to help with shunting the train.

[@lasalleman]

That steamtrain in the snow at 1:38 is pretty nice.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and oddly the snow shot was about half a mile from the summit but I’d filmed the climb in full sun only half an hour earlier 😂

[@101jumpit]

Nothing like a Steam Locomotive to get the pulse racing,the heart pounding and the adrenaline pumping.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and your so right 👍

[@johncookson9751]

My dad used to fire Black 5s up there. No wonder he had biceps like a bloody Olympic weight lifter.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks John, bet it’s hard graft as I had a ride in the support coach of 6233 a few years back over Shap and the two firemen were shattered when we arrived into Carlisle.

[@howiesiesoosoo]

Judging from the exhaust blasting out of some of the diesel locos, a fair bit of pushing was going on!

[@ayno1000]

They may be providing heat and light for the train.....

[@SimonTog]

Super great Steve :)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Simon, not much happening steam tour wise at the moment hence the compilation 👍

[@stestewart1119]

Omg I live near there and had no idea steam came that way I thought Carlisle was the end??

[@HughFromAlice]

Steve, great shots. Out of all the climbs you've seen what do you reckon the best few are and why?

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Hugh , I think the climb from 6233 as it comes around the s bend probably is my favourite as she struggled on Shap with bad coal so once it was changed she charged up the bank but 46115 comes pretty close with twelve on and not quite as much grunt as the Duchess.

[@struck2soon]

It would have been nice to see "The Duke" in this compilation, hopefully not long to wait now though huh?

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Andrew, yes it would’ve been good to see 71000 but sadly the only run she did Southbound was in 2008 and I didn’t quite get up to Beattock that day .

[@stevescott1957]

Very nostalgic, but all that crap spewing from it, not good

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Steve, no worse than what comes out of industries in say China sadly ☹️